| Homeowners are often on the lookout for ways | | | | can be programmed to close at dusk so you |
| to save money and many families need dual | | | | have automatic privacy when you arrive home |
| incomes just to make ends meet. Energy bills are | | | | from work. They can also be programmed to |
| on the rise and with the recent attention to | | | | close when you leave the house and set the |
| saving the Earth's environment, saving energy is | | | | security alarm, which makes a burglar's job more |
| becoming a priority as well. | | | | difficult. Or they can be programmed to close |
| A trend that is becoming more popular is | | | | after the morning sun hits your home, meaning |
| automating your home so anything electrical will | | | | you do not have to run the air conditioning for so |
| use energy more efficiently. Not only does this | | | | long. |
| apply to the amount of energy the appliances use | | | | Lighting |
| but what time of day they run. Sometimes | | | | Automatic lights provide both safety, more |
| depending on your provider running your washing | | | | energy savings. No more walking into a darkened |
| machine or dishwasher during the peak midday | | | | home after work or worrying about burglars |
| hours will give you a higher electric bill because the | | | | breaking into your home while you are on |
| rates can be higher during these peak hours. | | | | vacation. Programmable lights will give the |
| What Is Home Automation? | | | | appearance that someone is at home. They can |
| The term "home automation" simply means wiring | | | | even be linked to your garage door opener so |
| all the electronic aspects of your home in such a | | | | with one push of a button, when you arrive |
| way as they can communicate with each other | | | | home, your garage door will open and lights will |
| and can be programmed to use energy at certain | | | | turn on inside. |
| times of the day. This automation process can be | | | | The Science Behind Home Automation |
| used on individual components of your home, such | | | | So, how exactly do all these things seem to |
| as new appliances as they are purchased, or an | | | | communicate to each other? One standard is |
| entire network can be installed. Imagine having | | | | called X10, which primarily uses power lines and |
| your computer linked in to your home automaton | | | | radio frequency to transmit digital information. |
| / security system so you receive a notification | | | | Everything you want to automate needs to have |
| and view a webcam image of any suspect | | | | an X10 module installed and programmed with |
| events happening in or around your home. | | | | your specifications. |
| Examples of Home Automation | | | | While professional installation is recommended, |
| One of the most common examples of home | | | | keypad controllers allow homeowners to make |
| automation is the programmable thermostats. | | | | easy changes to the chosen programs and |
| Setting the heat to start before you come home | | | | keychain controllers allow control over devices |
| from work has two benefits: the heat will not run | | | | with just one click of a button. |
| while the house is empty, thus saving you money, | | | | Although home automation might seem like an |
| yet the temperature can be comfortable by the | | | | idea from a science fiction movie, it is a practical |
| time you get home from work. The same holds | | | | way for homeowners to save money and energy |
| true for the air conditioning. | | | | while enhancing their own privacy and security. |
| Window Blinds | | | | These are just a few simple ideas of what can |
| The ability to close your window blinds | | | | be automated in your home. Use your imagination |
| automatically can provide privacy and safety as | | | | to develop a customized home automation plan |
| well as being energy efficient. For instance, they | | | | that will suit your needs. |